Which ethical principle is NOT one of the three identified in the Belmont Report?

The Belmont Report identifies three core ethical principles that guide research involving human subjects: Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice.

Respect for Persons emphasizes the importance of autonomy and informed consent, ensuring that individuals participate in research voluntarily and with adequate understanding of what that participation entails. Beneficence involves maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants, while Justice requires fair distribution of the burdens and benefits of research.

Confidentiality, while an important aspect of ethical research, is not identified as one of the foundational principles in the Belmont Report. Instead, confidentiality is seen as a practice that supports the primary principles, particularly respecting individuals' autonomy and privacy. Therefore, recognizing the distinct focus of the principles outlined in the Belmont Report helps clarify why confidentiality does not belong to the list of core ethical principles identified in that important document.